VICTORIAN PERIOD: “The Sunflower” Wallpaper By Bruce James Talbert

History

This is the design for a wallpaper ‘The Sunflower’ by Bruce James Talbert made in 1878. The design is now available for viewing at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Designed by

Bruce James Talbert (1838-1881). He was a carver and an architect, but later on he became an influential decorator.

Materials

Watercolour and body colour.

Elements and Principles

Shape is the Element and Repetition is the governing Principle of this design. Oval shapes of the sunflowers and organic shapes of the other flowers, leaves and stems are repeated regularly throughout the wallpaper. This creates the feeling of regularity and gentle predictability.

Manufactured by

Made by Jeffrey & Co. London 1878

Used by Designers

Wallpapers have been used primarily in residential spaces and in spaces where the designer aimed at creating cosy atmosphere.

Related

Below is a picture of the wallpaper frieze to be used with the wallpaper “The Sunflower”. The frieze is also to be seen at the V&A Museum in London.

Resources

http://www.faslondon.com/fine_art_society/artists/t/bruce_james_talbert.html

http://www.vam.ac.uk/users/node/8285

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_James_Talbert

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O740435/wallpaper-frieze-wallpaper-talbert-bruce-james/